Patent US5260766A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5260766A
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US
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Apparatus for detection of an imperfect seal and method therefore
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-04-02
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Granted: 1993-11-09
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Expires: 2012-04-02
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus and method for detection of an imperfect seal between a plurality of plastic sheets. A transparent heated seal bar is tightly applied against the plurality of plastic sheets with the heat producing a welding between the sheets. A light source is projected into the seal bar with reflection occurring back through the seal bar from the seal area producing an image. This image is then picked up by a camera and transmitted to a visual analyzing computer which compares the produced seal to an image of a perfect seal and if significant differences are noted the computer causes activation of an annunciator to make known the creation of the imperfect seal.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark H. Armitage
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 23:48
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/84; G01N21/88; G01N21/89; B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/18; B29C65/82; B29C65/8253; B29C66/00; B29C66/01; B29C66/03; B29C66/032; B29C66/0326; B29C66/05; B29C66/10; B29C66/11; B29C66/112; B29C66/1122; B29C66/20; B29C66/23; B29C66/232; B29C66/40; B29C66/41; B29C66/43; B29C66/431; B29C66/4312; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/812; B29C66/8122; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81427; B29C66/81433; B29C66/81435; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/84; B29C66/849; B29C2793/00; B29C2793/009; B29C66/8126; B29C66/81266; B29C66/81267; B29C66/81411; B29C66/81421; B29C66/81422; B29C66/81423; B29C66/90; B29C66/96; B29C66/967; B29C66/9672; B29K; B29K2909/00; B29K2909/08; G01N21/8851; G01N2021/8887; G01N2201/00; G01N2201/10; G01N2201/102; G01N2201/108; G01N2201/1085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of detecting an imperfect weld joint between a plurality of thin sheet material members comprising the steps of: placing the members in juxtaposition; tightly squeezing said members together using a transparent seal bar which has been heated to a sufficiently raised temperature to cause localized melting of said members in the area of said seal bar and welding together of said members forming a seal; observing of said seal through said seal bar; ascertaining of any imperfection in said seal by discovering one or more hiatuses in said seal; and announcing the detection of an imperfect seal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
The method of detecting an imperfect weld joint between a plurality of thin sheet material members comprising the steps of: placing the members in juxtaposition; tightly squeezing said members together using a transparent seal bar which has been heated to a sufficiently raised temperature to cause localized melting of said members in the area of said seal bar and welding together of said members forming a seal; observing of said seal through said seal bar; ascertaining of any imperfection in said seal by discovering one or more hiatuses in said seal; and announcing the detection of an imperfect seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein between said squeezing step and said observing step there is utilized the following step: projecting light onto the area of said seal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the step of observing is achieved by reflecting of a portion of the projected light from the area of said seal through said seal bar producing an optical image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as defined in claim 3 wherein the step of ascertaining includes: projecting of the image of the reflective light within a visual command processor and comparing of that image with the image of a perfect seal.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for detection of an imperfect welding together of a plurality of thin sheet material members forming a seal, said apparatus comprising: a transparent heated seal bar having a front edge tightly applied against said plurality of said thin sheet material members producing a welding therebetween; light projection means connected to said seal bar for projecting light from a light source into said seal bar directed toward said front edge a portion of which reflects therefrom through said seal bar producing an image directly representative of the quality of said seal between said members; visual means for receiving said image and detecting of an imperfect seal; and annunciator means for making known the detection of said imperfect seal.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
119 words
An apparatus for detection of an imperfect welding together of a plurality of thin sheet material members forming a seal, said apparatus comprising: a transparent heated seal bar having a front edge tightly applied against said plurality of said thin sheet material members producing a welding therebetween; light projection means connected to said seal bar for projecting light from a light source into said seal bar directed toward said front edge a portion of which reflects therefrom through said seal bar producing an image directly representative of the quality of said seal between said members; visual means for receiving said image and detecting of an imperfect seal; and annunciator means for making known the detection of said imperfect seal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said seal bar having a back edge, said back edge being spaced furthest from said front edge, said light projection means being connected at said back edge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein: said light projection means including a fiber optic bundle being secured to said back edge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said visual means detecting of said imperfect seal by comparing said image to an image of a perfect seal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said thin sheet material members being plastic.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-08 | 1997-05-10 | 1997-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-08 | 2001-05-10 | 2001-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-08 | 2005-05-10 | 2005-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |